August 19, 2024

ASU Law Dean Stacy Leeds named a finalist for Phoenix Business Journal's inaugural Champions of Inclusion Awards

 

Stacy Leeds, the Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor of Law at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, has been named a finalist for the Phoenix Business Journal’s Champions of Inclusion Awards, specifically for the Robin Reed Champion of Change Award. This recognition honors Leeds’ unwavering commitment to inclusion at ASU Law and beyond.

Leeds guides the college in providing innovative legal education, fostering research and advancing justice. Since becoming dean in February 2023, she has been recognized for her pioneering work in legal education and her dedication to inclusion. Under her leadership, ASU Law has launched several initiatives to support and expand outreach to make legal education more accessible.

“Being named a finalist for the Champions of Inclusion Awards is a profound honor that speaks to the collective dedication of our ASU Law community in driving meaningful change,” Leeds said. “At ASU Law, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve, ensuring every voice is heard. This recognition underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts to expand access to justice and foster a culture of inclusivity.”

Leeds embraces the ASU charter, which sets a standard that the university is measured not by whom it excludes but by whom it includes and how they succeed. Her leadership has been transformative, creating pathways for students and professionals from all backgrounds to succeed in the legal field. For example, students have been provided opportunities and support through mentorship and leadership development initiatives. She advocates for innovative solutions to expand legal education and improve access to justice, particularly in rural and underserved communities where legal professionals are scarce. By leveraging technology and flexible educational pathways, these efforts are crucial in addressing the growing need for legal services in areas like Arizona, which ranks 49th out of 50 in lawyers per capita.

A key achievement under Leeds' leadership is the world’s first-ever tribally affiliated legal program, a partnership between ASU Law, Diné College and the Navajo Nation. This initiative promotes inclusion by focusing on Navajo-specific laws and sovereignty, addressing community-specific legal challenges. 

These efforts have resulted in a more diverse student body and faculty at ASU Law, increased community engagement with affinity groups and a higher number of graduates working in public interest law. The law school has been recognized for its inclusive programs and initiatives, such as The Advance Program and D.C. Leadership Academy. 

ASU Law has seen a rise in enrollment of students from underrepresented communities and welcomes a class this fall with the highest percentage of women. Of its class of JD students, 49% are Arizona residents and 17% are first-generation college students, which shows an upward trend of local talent pursuing a legal education. Additionally, between the JD and master’s programs, ASU Law welcomes 20 veterans or active-duty military students.

Leeds is a trailblazer, as the first Indigenous woman in the U.S. to become a law school dean. Her distinguished career includes serving as a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice and being a past recipient of the American Bar Association’s Spirit of Excellence Award. She currently holds significant roles on various boards, including the congressionally chartered Foundation for America’s Public Lands and Native American Agriculture Fund. Her extensive experience and leadership have had a profound impact on the legal profession and the communities she serves.

The Champions of Inclusion Awards ceremony will take place on September 24 at the Heard Museum, where the winners will be announced. At the event, Leeds will participate in a panel discussion alongside Nell Hall, global vice president of attraction and inclusion at Benchmark Electronics, and Velma Trayham, CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona and Thinkzilla Consulting Group. This panel will discuss how inclusion initiatives have evolved over the years. For more information on the event, visit bizjournals.com.

Written by Kourtney Kelley